[Note this was written before the Sabres signed the rights to Ehrhoff. That doesn’t change a whole lot, but it might affect the ability to afford Brad Richards and make it more likely that the Sabres have to trade for a center or two. Read on…]

So, we’ve landed our dream top defenseman, the grittiest of the gritty. We love Robyn Regehr and can’t wait to see him smash some opposing forwards into the boards.

He doesn't need to eat food for he feeds on the fear of his opponents. Until the season begins he may have to learn to adapt his digestive system to accept chicken wings and bleu cheese.

Now Sabres fans thoughts turn towards Christmas Day, a.k.a. July 1st, otherwise known as Brad Richards Lottery Day. If you’re tuning in late, live under a rock, or have just been too busy to keep up, Friday, July 1st is the date that unrestricted free agents can sign with other teams.

And who might the Sabres go after? The aforementioned Brad Richard is one possibility, and despite the high demand for a player of his caliber, there are many knowledgeable people who think the Sabres have both the gumption and cap space to go after him.

Since the dismissal of Brian McCutcheon from the Assistant Coach ranks of the Buffalo Sabres, there’s been a lot of chatter about his replacement. Chalk me up for “Team Teppo.” Before we get down to the nitty gritty though, first, let us take a skate down memory lane.

The Sabres, of course, already enjoy picking the brain of the defensively minded James Patrick behind the bench, but there is no denying the “calming effect” Teppo had on the defensive troops when he wore Blue and Gold. He is also one of the best (and one of the most cerebral) defensive dynamos to ever come out of Finland.

Oh, and the Sabres just picked up Joel Armia in the first round – one of the better offensive phenoms to come out of Finland since Teemu Selanne (according to Armia’s coach in Assat). If the Sabres want to garner Armia’s full potential, it sure would help to have a fellow Finn around, and one who has already been through national stardom in Finland and North America.

And as more than one female associate of mine has pointed out, A Numminen-Patrick tandem would be one of the more pulchritudinous in the NHL. (Look it up kids, that's a SAT word.)

Be it for Rochester, or for Buffalo, Darcy Regier must have Teppo at the top of his list of coaching interviews.

The Roost is “working on integrating the essential Twitter feeds into the chat, so hopefully this can be a one-stop shop for Sabres fans.” In other words, Twitter feeds are going to be blowing up as each signing is announced. This live chat will feature Sabres bloggers that most of us follow, and should be much easier on the eyes (and brain) during the frenzy.

If you are already a veteran of this annual event, well, welcome back!

We're stretched and ready. Let's do this thing.

Again, like I said in my last post, no matter what happens on July 1st, we’re all in this together come October 7.

The circus that is the July 1st spending frenzy is upon us, as fans on Twitter have vented their anxiety by arguing over if the Sabres should pursue Brad Richards, which defensemen they should target, what trade(s) would be made “if I were in charge,” with a smattering of panic in-between all of this as UFA’s randomly choose to resign with their teams. (Thanks for nothing, Bieksa.)

During the aching hours days that Sabres fans recently went through with Robyn Regehr, at least we’re mentally prepared for whatever happens. During the Regehr Twitter-a-thon, a few of us decided to break from the conversation altogether and instead make up some pretty hilarious “where are they now” wise-cracks about former (and current) Sabres players and staff.

Also known as "Where be they at?" to younger generations.

The crew over at “Dear God Why Us Sports” was kind enough to save up all of those tweets and compile them into a post, which can be found here. Tip-o-the-sunglasses to “The Scizz,” who authored this masterpiece.

“Scizz” is a part of a sometimes irreverent but always relevant team of Buffalo Sports writers that includes “The Apologist,” “The Yachtsman,” “The Barrister,” and “Megsie.” Check ‘em out, and look them up on Twitter – and be prepared for a hearty dose of shtick to go with some real up-to-the-moment Sabres and other Buffalo sports news and musings.

My personal fav, so far.

If you enjoyed the “Where are They Now” post, then get ready, because Scizz has told us that Part 2 is on the way. I’m not sure exactly how far we can take this, but with moments like this in Buffalo Sabres history, something tells me a trilogy could be in the works here.

And a prequel.

Sports fans, remember, no matter what happens on July 1st, we’re all in this together come October 7. Try to relax, and remember, we’re here to help.

Now let us all join virtual hands, and pray that Ray Emery lands somewhere in the Eastern Conference, so that Marty Biron might have his vengeance.